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अवसाद में

B1 noun 7 min read

अवसाद में

avsaad mein

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips अवसाद में in 30 Seconds

Explanation अवसाद में in your Level:

At the A1 level, you don't need to worry about the deep clinical meaning of 'अवसाद में' (avsād mē̃). Just know that it is a very strong way to say 'sad'. If you see this word in a book, think of it as 'Super Sad'. In A1, we usually use 'Udaas' (उदास). For example, 'Main udaas hoon' means 'I am sad'. 'Avasad' is a much bigger word. You might hear it on the news. Remember: 'Avasad' is the thing (depression) and 'mein' means 'in'. So 'Avasad mein' is 'in depression'. Don't use it for small things like losing a pen. Use it for big, heavy feelings that last a long time. It is a masculine word, but since it is a phrase with 'mein', you don't need to change its ending for girls or boys. Just say 'Vah avsad mein hai' for anyone.

At the A2 level, you can start distinguishing between 'Udaasi' (general sadness) and 'Avasad' (depression). 'Avasad में' is a noun phrase. You should learn to use it with the verb 'hona' (to be). For example, 'Vah avsad mein hai' (He/She is in depression). You might also see it in simple stories about people who are very unhappy for a long time. At this level, recognize that 'Avasad' is more formal than 'Udaas'. If you are writing a simple essay about health, you can use this word to sound more professional. Also, notice the spelling: it has a 'v' sound (व) and an 's' sound (स) with a long 'aa' (सा). Practice saying 'Av-saad' slowly. It is a good word to know for reading newspapers or watching basic health reports in Hindi.

As a B1 learner, you should be able to use 'अवसाद में' in your own sentences to discuss mental health or emotional states in a more nuanced way. You should understand that this is the standard term for clinical depression. You can start using intensifiers like 'gehra' (deep) or 'lamba' (long). For example, 'Lambi bimari ke baad vah avsad mein chala gaya' (After a long illness, he went into depression). You should also know that 'avasad' is a masculine noun, so any adjectives modifying it must be masculine. At this level, you can use the phrase to talk about social issues, such as the pressure on students or the effects of loneliness on the elderly. It is a key vocabulary item for reaching intermediate fluency in social and medical topics.

At the B2 level, you should have a firm grasp of the register and context of 'अवसाद में'. You should be able to distinguish it from literary synonyms like 'vishad' or 'glani'. You should understand how it's used in complex sentence structures, such as 'Avsad mein hone ke bawajood' (Despite being in depression). You can discuss the causes and effects of depression using this term in debates or formal presentations. You should also be aware of the adjectival form 'avasad-grast' (depression-afflicted) and when to use the noun phrase versus the adjective. Your pronunciation should be precise, and you should be able to identify the word in fast-paced news broadcasts or emotional dialogues in Hindi cinema. You should also understand the cultural sensitivity surrounding the word in Indian society.

At the C1 level, you should appreciate the etymological roots of 'अवसाद' from Sanskrit and its historical usage in Hindi literature. You should be able to analyze how the term is used in academic papers on psychology or sociology. You should be comfortable using the phrase in subtle ways, perhaps exploring the existential nuances of 'avasad' in a literary critique. You can compare and contrast 'avasad' with other sophisticated terms like 'manovishad' or 'chittabhang'. At this level, you should also be aware of the various idioms and collocations that involve 'avasad', and be able to use them with native-like precision. You can discuss the history of mental health terminology in Hindi and how 'avasad' became the dominant term over older, more descriptive phrases.

At the C2 level, you should have a masterly command over the phrase 'अवसाद में'. You can use it to explore deep philosophical themes in your writing or speaking. You should be able to identify its usage in various dialects or regional variations of Hindi literature. You can provide a detailed analysis of the shift in the word's usage from classical poetry to modern clinical psychology. You should be able to use the word in any register, from highly formal academic discourse to sensitive, empathetic personal conversations. You can also critique the translation of Western psychological concepts into Hindi using 'avasad' as a primary example. Your understanding should include the subtle connotations the word carries in different socio-economic contexts within India.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

अवसाद में in 30 Seconds

Formal term for clinical depression.
Used with the postposition 'mein' (in).
More serious than simple sadness (udaasi).
Common in medical and news contexts.

The phrase अवसाद में (avsād mē̃) is a sophisticated Hindi expression used to describe a state of clinical depression or profound melancholia. While simpler terms like 'udaasi' (sadness) exist, 'avasad' carries a medical and psychological weight, indicating a deeper, more persistent condition rather than a fleeting mood. In contemporary Hindi, especially in urban settings and clinical environments, this phrase is the standard way to refer to someone suffering from depression.

Linguistic Root: Derived from the Sanskrit root 'sad' (to sit or sink) with the prefix 'ava' (down), literally meaning 'to sink down' or 'to be dejected'. The postposition 'mē̃' adds the locative sense of 'being in' that state.
Semantic Nuance: Unlike 'dukh' (pain/sorrow) which is often a reaction to an external event, 'avasad' implies an internal psychological state that might persist regardless of external circumstances. It is a formal term used in journalism, psychology, and literature.

आधुनिक जीवनशैली के कारण कई युवा अवसाद में घिरते जा रहे हैं। (Due to modern lifestyle, many youths are getting surrounded by depression.)

In social contexts, using this word shows a high level of empathy and vocabulary. If you tell a doctor 'Main udaas hoon', they understand you are sad. If you say 'Main avsad mein hoon', you are communicating a serious mental health concern. It is frequently paired with verbs like 'hona' (to be), 'doobna' (to drown/be deep in), or 'ghirna' (to be surrounded by). Culturally, India has seen a massive shift in how mental health is discussed, and 'avasad' has transitioned from a purely poetic or academic term to a household word used in awareness campaigns.

वह पिछले कई महीनों से अवसाद में था, लेकिन अब वह ठीक है। (He was in depression for several months, but now he is fine.)

Register and Tone: The tone is serious and respectful. It is never used lightheartedly or as slang for being 'bummed out'. For casual sadness, stick to 'pareshan' or 'udaas'.

Constructing sentences with अवसाद में requires an understanding of Hindi's postpositional structure. Since 'avasad' is a masculine noun, it doesn't change form when 'mē̃' is added, but the entire phrase functions as an adverbial description of a person's state. You will most commonly see it as a subject complement.

Basic Structure: [Subject] + [अवसाद में] + [Auxiliary Verb]. Example: 'वह अवसाद में है' (He/She is in depression). This is the most direct way to state the condition.
Dynamic Usage: To describe falling into depression, use the verb 'chala jaana' (to go away into). Example: 'वह गहरे अवसाद में चला गया' (He went into a deep depression).

नौकरी खोने के बाद, वह अवसाद में डूब गया। (After losing the job, he drowned in depression.)

You can enhance the intensity of the phrase by adding adjectives before 'avasad'. Common modifiers include 'gehre' (deep), 'gambhir' (serious), or 'bhayanak' (terrible). For instance, 'gambhir avasad mein' signifies clinical, severe depression. In literary Hindi, you might find more poetic variations where the state is personified, but in standard B1/B2 Hindi, sticking to the 'Subject + State + Verb' pattern is most effective.

क्या आप कभी अवसाद में रहे हैं? (Have you ever been in depression?)

Negative Sentences: To say someone is not in depression, simply add 'nahi' before the auxiliary verb: 'वह अवसाद में नहीं है'. This is often used in medical clearances.

While you might not hear अवसाद में in a casual chat over tea between friends (where 'dukh' or 'tension' is more common), it is ubiquitous in several specific domains of Indian life. Understanding these contexts will help you recognize the gravity of the word when it is spoken.

News and Media: Hindi news channels and newspapers frequently use this phrase when reporting on celebrity mental health, student pressure during exams, or public health statistics. Headlines like 'Avasad mein jee rahe hain shehri log' (Urban people are living in depression) are common.
Medical and Therapeutic Settings: Psychologists and psychiatrists in India use 'avasad' as the direct translation for the diagnosis of Depression. If you visit a government hospital's mental health wing, you will see 'Avasad' written on informational posters.

समाचार के अनुसार, वह कलाकार लंबे समय से अवसाद में था। (According to the news, that artist was in depression for a long time.)

In Hindi literature and cinema (Bollywood), this phrase is used to depict the 'tragic hero' or characters undergoing existential crises. In the classic era of Hindi poetry (Chhayavad), poets often explored themes of 'vishad' and 'avasad' to describe the melancholy of the human soul. Modern Bollywood films like 'Dear Zindagi' or 'Tamasha' have brought the term 'avasad' into more common parlance, though often mixed with English terms. If you are watching a serious Hindi drama (Web series on platforms like SonyLIV or Hotstar), listen for this word during emotional confrontations or therapy scenes.

डॉक्टर ने कहा कि मरीज़ अवसाद में है और उसे दवा की ज़रूरत है। (The doctor said the patient is in depression and needs medicine.)

Learning to use अवसाद में correctly involves avoiding a few common pitfalls that English speakers often encounter due to direct translation or confusion with similar-sounding words.

The 'Udaas' vs. 'Avasad' Trap: A common mistake is using 'avasad' for minor disappointments. If you lose your keys, you are 'udaas' (sad) or 'pareshan' (troubled), not 'avasad mein'. Using the latter makes the situation sound like a medical emergency. Use 'avasad' only for chronic or severe mental states.
Incorrect Postpositions: Beginners sometimes say 'avasad se' (from depression) when they mean 'in depression'. While 'avasad se joojhna' (struggling with/from depression) is correct, describing the state itself always requires 'mein'. Avoid 'avasad par' or 'avasad ko'.

Wrong: वह अवसाद है। (He is depression.)
Right: वह अवसाद में है। (He is in depression.)

Another frequent error is treating 'avasad' as an adjective. In English, we say 'He is depressed'. In Hindi, 'avasad' is a noun. You cannot say 'Vah avasad hai'. You must say 'Vah avasad mein hai' (He is IN depression) or use the adjectival form 'avasad-grast' (depression-afflicted), though the latter is very formal. Additionally, be careful not to confuse 'avasad' with 'afsos' (regret). Saying 'Mujhe avasad hai' sounds like 'I have clinical depression', whereas 'Mujhe afsos hai' means 'I am sorry/I regret'.

Wrong: मुझे बहुत अवसाद महसूस हो रही है।
Right: मुझे बहुत अवसाद महसूस हो रहा है। (I am feeling a lot of depression.)

Hindi has a rich vocabulary for emotions. Depending on the intensity and context, you might want to use words other than अवसाद में. Here is a comparison of synonyms and related terms to help you choose the right word for the right moment.

विषाद (Vishad): This is a highly literary and Sanskritized synonym for 'avasad'. It is often used in classical literature and poetry. While 'avasad' is used in modern psychology, 'vishad' is used to describe a deep, philosophical sorrow or the despair of a warrior (like Arjuna's 'Vishad-Yoga' in the Gita).
उदासी (Udaasi): The most common word for sadness. Use this for everyday situations—like when a movie is sad or you miss a friend. It lacks the clinical weight of 'avasad'.

वह अपनी असफलता के कारण विषाद में डूबा था। (He was drowned in despair due to his failure.)

Other alternatives include 'nirasha' (hopelessness), which focuses on the lack of hope rather than the mood itself, and 'chinta' (worry/anxiety), which is more about future-oriented stress. In very informal settings, people often use the English word 'tension' or 'stress' even when speaking Hindi. For example, 'Woh bahut tension mein hai'. However, if you are aiming for a B1/B2 level of proficiency, using 'avasad mein' correctly will significantly impress native speakers and show a deeper grasp of the language's emotional range.

आजकल लोग छोटी-छोटी बातों पर तनाव (Stress) महसूस करते हैं, जो बाद में अवसाद बन सकता है। (Nowadays people feel stress over small things, which can later become depression.)

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The root 'sad' is also found in the English word 'sediment' (that which settles down) and 'sit'. So 'avasad' literally means to 'sit down' or 'sink down' emotionally.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /əʋ.sɑːd̪ mẽː/

US /əv.sɑd meɪn/

Primary stress is on the second syllable of 'avsād' (sād).

Rhymes With

Prasad (प्रसाद) Vishad (विषाद) Aazaad (आज़ाद) Fasaad (फ़साद) Yaad (याद) Aabaad (आबाद) Ibaadat (इबादत - partial) Shadaab (शादाब - partial)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'v' as 'w'.
Using a hard 'd' like in 'dog' instead of a soft dental 'd'.
Shortening the long 'aa' in 'saad'.
Forgetting the nasalization in 'mē̃'.
Stress on the first syllable 'av'.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

The word is easy to read but requires understanding of formal Hindi contexts.

Writing 4/5

Spelling 'avsād' correctly with the dental 'd' and 's' is important.

Speaking 3/5

Nasalization of 'mē̃' and the long 'aa' are the main challenges.

Listening 3/5

Can be confused with 'afsos' or 'udaas' if not listening carefully.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

उदास दुख में होना मन

Learn Next

मनोविज्ञान चिकित्सा भावना सहानुभूति तनाव

Advanced

विषाद ग्लानि नैराश्य अस्तित्ववाद अवसन्नता

Grammar to Know

Postpositional Noun Phrases

अवसाद में (In depression) - The noun doesn't change because it's masculine ending in a consonant.

Adjective Agreement

गहरा (Masculine) + अवसाद (Masculine).

Compound Verbs with States

अवसाद में चले जाना (To go into depression).

Oblique Case (not applicable here)

अवसाद remains अवसाद before में.

Gerunds as Subjects

अवसाद में होना (Being in depression) is the subject.

Examples by Level

वह बहुत अवसाद में है।

He is in much depression.

Simple Subject + State + Verb.

क्या तुम अवसाद में हो?

Are you in depression?

Interrogative sentence.

मेरे दोस्त अवसाद में नहीं हैं।

My friends are not in depression.

Negative sentence with plural subject.

अवसाद में होना बुरा है।

To be in depression is bad.

Gerundial use of the state.

वह अवसाद में क्यों है?

Why is he in depression?

Question word 'kyon' (why).

राम अवसाद में था।

Ram was in depression.

Past tense 'tha'.

सीता अवसाद में थी।

Sita was in depression.

Past tense 'thi' for feminine.

वे सब अवसाद में हैं।

They all are in depression.

Plural auxiliary verb 'hain'.

वह परीक्षा के कारण अवसाद में है।

He is in depression because of exams.

Using 'ke kaaran' (because of).

डॉक्टर ने कहा कि वह अवसाद में है।

The doctor said that he is in depression.

Indirect speech with 'ki'.

अवसाद में लोग अकेले रहना चाहते हैं।

In depression, people want to stay alone.

General statement about people.

वह धीरे-धीरे अवसाद में जा रहा है।

He is slowly going into depression.

Present continuous tense.

क्या अवसाद में दवा ज़रूरी है?

Is medicine necessary in depression?

Asking about necessity.

वह गहरे अवसाद में डूब गया।

He drowned in deep depression.

Using 'gehra' (deep) as a modifier.

मेरी बहन अब अवसाद में नहीं है।

My sister is not in depression now.

Negative state with 'ab' (now).

अवसाद में मदद माँगना अच्छा है।

Asking for help in depression is good.

Infinitive as subject.

नौकरी जाने के बाद वह गहरे अवसाद में चला गया।

After losing the job, he went into a deep depression.

Compound verb 'chala gaya'.

अवसाद में व्यक्ति अपनी रुचि खो देता है।

In depression, a person loses their interest.

Habitual present tense.

क्या सामाजिक दबाव लोगों को अवसाद में डालता है?

Does social pressure put people into depression?

Causal verb 'daalta hai' (puts).

वह कई सालों तक अवसाद में रहा।

He remained in depression for many years.

Duration with 'tak'.

अवसाद में नींद न आना एक सामान्य लक्षण है।

Not being able to sleep is a common symptom in depression.

Symptom description.

वह अवसाद में था, फिर भी उसने काम किया।

He was in depression, yet he worked.

Contrast with 'phir bhi'.

हमें अवसाद में रहने वालों की मदद करनी चाहिए।

We should help those who are in depression.

Obligation with 'chahiye'.

शहर की भागदौड़ उसे अवसाद में ले गई।

The city's hustle took him into depression.

Subject is an abstract noun.

गंभीर अवसाद में चिकित्सा परामर्श अनिवार्य है।

In severe depression, medical consultation is mandatory.

Formal vocabulary like 'paramarsh' and 'anivarya'.

वह अपने अतीत की यादों के कारण अवसाद में घिर गया है।

He is surrounded by depression because of memories of his past.

Passive-like structure with 'ghir gaya'.

अवसाद में होने के नाते, वह किसी से बात नहीं करना चाहता।

Being in depression, he does not want to talk to anyone.

Participial phrase 'ke naate'.

आजकल की प्रतिस्पर्धा युवाओं को अवसाद में धकेल रही है।

Today's competition is pushing youth into depression.

Metaphorical verb 'dhakel rahi hai'.

उसकी आँखों में साफ़ दिख रहा था कि वह अवसाद में है।

It was clearly visible in his eyes that he is in depression.

Complex sentence with 'ki'.

अवसाद में डूबे व्यक्ति को सहानुभूति की आवश्यकता होती है।

A person drowned in depression needs empathy.

Adjectival phrase 'avsad mein doobe'.

क्या आप मानते हैं कि अकेलापन अवसाद में बदल सकता है?

Do you believe that loneliness can turn into depression?

Modal verb 'sakta hai'.

लेखक ने नायक को अवसाद में डूबा हुआ दिखाया है।

The author has shown the protagonist drowned in depression.

Perfective participle as object complement.

दीर्घकालिक अवसाद में व्यक्ति का संज्ञानात्मक विकास प्रभावित होता है।

In chronic depression, a person's cognitive development is affected.

Highly academic register.

वह अपनी अस्तित्वगत शून्यता के कारण गहरे अवसाद में है।

He is in deep depression due to his existential void.

Abstract philosophical terms.

अवसाद में डूबे समाज को नई दिशा की आवश्यकता है।

A society drowned in depression needs a new direction.

Metaphorical use for a collective.

मनोवैज्ञानिकों के अनुसार, अवसाद में वंशानुगत कारक भी महत्वपूर्ण होते हैं।

According to psychologists, hereditary factors are also important in depression.

Scientific reporting style.

उसका लेखन उसके अवसाद में होने का जीवंत प्रमाण है।

His writing is a living proof of him being in depression.

Possessive gerund 'hone ka'.

अवसाद में व्यक्ति अक्सर वास्तविकता से कट जाता है।

In depression, a person often gets cut off from reality.

Passive structure 'kat jaata hai'.

क्या कला अवसाद में एक चिकित्सीय भूमिका निभा सकती है?

Can art play a therapeutic role in depression?

Interrogative with complex noun phrase.

राजनीतिक अस्थिरता ने पूरे देश को अवसाद में डाल दिया।

Political instability threw the whole country into depression.

Causal construction.

अवसाद में डूबी आत्मा का क्रंदन केवल मौन में सुना जा सकता है।

The cry of a soul drowned in depression can only be heard in silence.

Poetic and metaphorical.

उनकी कविताओं में अवसाद में होने की एक सूक्ष्म अनुगूँज मिलती है।

A subtle resonance of being in depression is found in his poems.

Nuanced literary analysis.

आधुनिकता की विडंबना यह है कि वह हमें सुख के साधन तो देती है, पर अक्सर अवसाद में छोड़ देती है।

The irony of modernity is that it gives us means of pleasure but often leaves us in depression.

Complex philosophical contrast.

अवसाद में व्यक्ति का समयबोध पूरी तरह से खंडित हो जाता है।

In depression, a person's sense of time becomes completely fragmented.

Technical psychological term 'samaybodh'.

दार्शनिक दृष्टि से, अवसाद में होना संसार की नश्वरता का बोध भी हो सकता है।

From a philosophical perspective, being in depression can also be a realization of the world's transience.

Existentialist framing.

सांस्कृतिक संदर्भों में, अवसाद में होने को अक्सर वैराग्य समझ लिया जाता है।

In cultural contexts, being in depression is often mistaken for detachment/renunciation.

Sociological observation.

वह अवसाद में इस कदर डूबा था कि प्रकाश की कोई किरण उसे नहीं दिखती थी।

He was so drowned in depression that no ray of light was visible to him.

Idiomatic 'is kadar' (to such an extent).

अवसाद में होने की स्थिति को अक्सर शब्दों में व्यक्त करना असंभव होता है।

The state of being in depression is often impossible to express in words.

Abstract nominalization.

Common Collocations

गहरा अवसाद

अवसाद का शिकार

अवसाद से जूझना

अवसाद से बाहर आना

गंभीर अवसाद

अवसाद के लक्षण

अवसाद का दौर

मानसिक अवसाद

अवसाद की स्थिति

अवसाद में डूबना

Common Phrases

अवसाद में चले जाना

— To fall into a state of depression. It implies a transition from normal to depressed.

हार के बाद वह अवसाद में चला गया।

अवसाद में होना

— To be currently suffering from depression. The most common descriptive phrase.

क्या वह वास्तव में अवसाद में है?

अवसाद में घिरना

— To be surrounded or overwhelmed by depression. Often used for external pressures.

वह अकेलेपन के कारण अवसाद में घिर गई।

अवसाद में रहना

— To live in a state of depression for a duration of time.

वह कई महीनों तक अवसाद में रही।

अवसाद में डालना

— To cause someone to become depressed. Usually an external event or person.

उसकी बातों ने मुझे अवसाद में डाल दिया।

अवसाद में डूबा हुआ

— Completely immersed or 'drowned' in depression. Very poetic/strong.

वह अवसाद में डूबा हुआ कलाकार है।

अवसाद में कमी

— Reduction in the level of depression. Used in medical reports.

इलाज के बाद उसके अवसाद में कमी आई है।

अवसाद में वृद्धि

— Increase in the level of depression.

सर्दियों में उसके अवसाद में वृद्धि हो जाती है।

अवसाद में सहायक

— Something that contributes to depression. Negative context.

नकारात्मक सोच अवसाद में सहायक होती है।

अवसाद में राहत

— Relief from the state of depression.

योग से उसे अवसाद में राहत मिली।

Often Confused With

अवसाद में vs अफ़सोस

Afsos means regret. 'Mujhe afsos hai' (I regret) vs 'Mujhe avasad hai' (I have depression).

अवसाद में vs उदास

Udaas is an adjective for sad. You are 'udaas', but you are 'avasad MEIN'.

अवसाद में vs आशीर्वाद

Sounds slightly similar to a beginner but means 'blessing'. Completely opposite.

Idioms & Expressions

"अंधेरे कुएँ में गिरना"

— To fall into a dark well. Metaphorically used for falling into deep depression.

वह धीरे-धीरे अवसाद के अंधेरे कुएँ में गिर रहा है।

Literary

"मन का बैठ जाना"

— The sinking of the heart. Describes the initial feeling of depression.

खबर सुनते ही उसका मन बैठ गया और वह अवसाद में चला गया।

Informal

"दुनिया का उजड़ जाना"

— The world being devastated. Used when someone is so depressed they feel they've lost everything.

उसके लिए तो जैसे दुनिया ही उजड़ गई, वह गहरे अवसाद में है।

Emotional

"जी छोटा करना"

— To lose heart or feel depressed/discouraged.

जी छोटा मत करो, वरना तुम अवसाद में चले जाओगे।

Colloquial

"आँखों के आगे अंधेरा छाना"

— Darkness spreading before the eyes. Used for sudden despair leading to depression.

असफलता देखकर उसकी आँखों के आगे अंधेरा छा गया और वह अवसाद में है।

Common

"पथरा जाना"

— To turn to stone. Describes the numbness associated with deep depression.

अवसाद में उसकी आँखें जैसे पथरा गई हैं।

Poetic

"अकेलेपन की आग में जलना"

— Burning in the fire of loneliness. A cause for 'avasad'.

वह सालों से अकेलेपन की आग में जलकर अवसाद में है।

Literary

"ग़म का पहाड़ टूटना"

— A mountain of grief breaking over someone. Leading to acute depression.

उस पर ग़म का पहाड़ टूटा और वह अवसाद में डूब गया।

Traditional

"मिट्टी में मिल जाना"

— To be reduced to dust. Feeling worthless in depression.

वह खुद को मिट्टी में मिला हुआ महसूस कर अवसाद में है।

Common

"साँस लेना भी भारी होना"

— Even breathing feeling heavy. Describes severe clinical depression.

अवसाद में उसके लिए साँस लेना भी भारी हो गया है।

Intense

Easily Confused

अवसाद में vs विषाद

Both mean depression/sorrow.

Vishad is poetic and classical; Avasad is clinical and modern.

Avasad is used by a doctor; Vishad is used by a poet.

अवसाद में vs तनाव

Both relate to mental health.

Tanav is stress/tension (often temporary); Avasad is a chronic mood disorder.

Exam stress is tanav; clinical depression is avasad.

अवसाद में vs चिंता

Often occur together.

Chinta is anxiety/worry about the future; Avasad is a low state of being.

He has chinta about his job, which led to avasad.

अवसाद में vs खिन्नता

Both describe low mood.

Khinnata includes a sense of annoyance or being 'fed up'.

He felt khinnata after the argument.

अवसाद में vs ग्लानि

Both are heavy emotions.

Glani is specifically depression caused by guilt or remorse.

He was in glani after lying to his mother.

Sentence Patterns

[Subject] [अवसाद में] [है/था]।

वह अवसाद में है।

[Reason] के कारण [Subject] [अवसाद में] है।

काम के कारण वह अवसाद में है।

[Subject] [Adjective] [अवसाद में] [चला गया]।

वह गहरे अवसाद में चला गया।

[Gerund Phrase], [Subject] [Negative Verb]।

अवसाद में होने के कारण, वह नहीं आया।

[Abstract Subject] [Subject] को [अवसाद में] [डाल देता है]।

अकेलापन इंसान को अवसाद में डाल देता है।

[Metaphorical Phrase] [अवसाद में] [डूबा हुआ] है।

उसका सारा अस्तित्व अवसाद में डूबा हुआ है।

क्या आप [अवसाद में] हैं?

क्या आप अवसाद में हैं?

वह [अवसाद में] नहीं, बल्कि [Other State] में है।

वह अवसाद में नहीं, बल्कि गुस्से में है।

Word Family

Nouns

अवसाद (Depression)

अवसादकता (Depressiveness)

Verbs

अवसादित करना (To depress/deject)

अवसादित होना (To be depressed)

Adjectives

अवसादग्रस्त (Depression-afflicted)

अवसादपूर्ण (Full of depression)

अवसादित (Depressed)

उदासी

विषाद

तनाव

चिंता

मनोविज्ञान

How to Use It

frequency

Common in media and health contexts; rare in casual slang.

Common Mistakes

वह अवसाद है। → वह अवसाद में है।
You cannot say 'He is depression'. You must say 'He is IN depression'.
मुझे अफ़सोस में हूँ। → मैं अवसाद में हूँ।
Confusing 'Afsos' (regret) with 'Avasad' (depression). Also, 'Mujhe' is used with 'hai', not 'hoon'.
गहरी अवसाद → गहरा अवसाद
Avasad is masculine, so the adjective 'gehra' must be masculine.
वह अवसाद से है। → वह अवसाद में है।
Using the wrong postposition 'se' (from) instead of 'mein' (in).
मैं अवसाद महसूस कर रही हूँ। → मैं अवसाद महसूस कर रहा हूँ। (if masculine) / मुझे अवसाद महसूस हो रहा है।
Avasad is masculine, so the verb 'ho raha' must be masculine regardless of the speaker's gender because it agrees with 'avasad'.

Tips

Use with 'Mein'

Always pair 'Avasad' with 'mein' when describing a person's state. It functions like the English 'in depression'.

Formal vs Informal

Use 'Avasad' for serious topics and 'Udaas' for casual ones. This shows you understand social registers.

The Long 'AA'

Make sure to lengthen the 'aa' in 'saad'. If you say it too fast, it might sound like a different word.

Sensitivity

Be careful when using this word about others. It is a medical term and carries weight in Indian society.

Adjective Choice

Pair it with 'gehra' (deep) to sound more natural. 'Gehra avasad' is a very common collocation.

Context Clues

If you hear 'doctor' or 'bimari' (illness) nearby, 'avasad' is likely the word for depression.

Soft 'D'

The 'd' at the end of 'avasad' is dental. Touch your tongue to your teeth, not the roof of your mouth.

The 'Sinking' Root

Remember that 'sad' means to sit/sink. Depression is a 'sinking' feeling.

Compound Verbs

Use 'chala gaya' (went) with 'avasad mein' to describe the process of becoming depressed.

Literary Synonyms

Learn 'Vishad' as well if you plan to read Hindi poetry; it's the literary brother of 'Avasad'.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Ava' as 'Away' and 'Sad' as sitting. You are sitting away from joy. 'Ava-Saad'.

Visual Association

Imagine a person sitting at the bottom of a deep, dark well. The well is 'Avasad' and they are 'mein' (in) it.

Word Web

Mind Sinking Darkness Doctor Sadness Loneliness Therapy Silence

Challenge

Try to write three sentences describing a character from a movie who was 'अवसाद में' and explain why.

Word Origin

Derived from the Sanskrit word 'Avasāda' (अवसाद). It is a combination of the prefix 'ava' and the root 'sad'.

Original meaning: To sink down, to settle down, to grow faint or weary.

Indo-Aryan (Sanskrit branch).

Cultural Context

This is a sensitive term. When using it to describe someone, ensure you are being empathetic and not diagnostic unless you are a professional.

Equivalent to 'clinical depression' rather than just 'feeling blue'.

Deepika Padukone's 'Live Love Laugh' foundation uses 'Avasad' in its Hindi materials. The 'Vishad-Yoga' of the Bhagavad Gita is the classical precursor to the concept. Munshi Premchand's stories often depict characters in states of 'avasad' due to poverty.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Medical Consultation

क्या यह अवसाद है?
मैं अवसाद में हूँ।
अवसाद का इलाज क्या है?
मुझे अवसाद के लक्षण महसूस हो रहे हैं।

News Reporting

वह अवसाद का शिकार था।
देश में अवसाद बढ़ रहा है।
अवसाद के प्रति जागरूकता ज़रूरी है।
गंभीर अवसाद की स्थिति।

Literature/Poetry

अवसाद में डूबी रात।
मन का अवसाद।
विषाद और अवसाद।
अवसाद की छाया।

Social Support

क्या तुम अवसाद में हो?
अवसाद में अकेले मत रहो।
मैं तुम्हारे अवसाद को समझता हूँ।
हम अवसाद से लड़ेंगे।

Workplace Stress

काम का दबाव अवसाद दे सकता है।
वह ऑफिस के कारण अवसाद में है।
अवसाद और कार्यक्षमता।
अवसाद के लिए छुट्टी।

Conversation Starters

"क्या आपको लगता है कि आजकल लोग ज़्यादा अवसाद में रहने लगे हैं?"

"अगर कोई मित्र अवसाद में हो, तो उसकी मदद कैसे करनी चाहिए?"

"क्या सोशल मीडिया लोगों को अवसाद में डाल रहा है?"

"क्या आपने कभी अवसाद के बारे में कोई किताब पढ़ी है?"

"अवसाद से बाहर आने के लिए सबसे अच्छा तरीका क्या है?"

Journal Prompts

लिखिए कि जब आप बहुत उदास महसूस करते हैं, तो क्या वह 'अवसाद' जैसा लगता है या कुछ और?

अवसाद में रहने वाले किसी व्यक्ति के प्रति अपनी सहानुभूति व्यक्त करते हुए एक पत्र लिखिए।

क्या आपको लगता है कि आधुनिक जीवन हमें अवसाद की ओर ले जा रहा है? अपने विचार लिखिए।

अवसाद और खुशी के बीच के अंतर को अपने शब्दों में समझाइए।

एक कहानी लिखिए जिसका नायक अवसाद से लड़कर बाहर आता है।

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Yes, it is very common in formal Hindi, especially in news, health discussions, and literature. However, in very casual daily talk, people might just say 'tension' or 'depression' in English.

No, that would be an overstatement. For a movie, use 'dukh bhari' or say 'Main udaas hoon'. 'Avasad' is for clinical states.

Udaas is an adjective (sad). Avasad is a noun (depression). You can say 'Main udaas hoon' or 'Main avasad mein hoon'. The latter is much stronger.

The word 'avasad' is masculine. Since it's a noun in a phrase, it doesn't change based on the gender of the person, but adjectives like 'gehra' (deep) must be masculine.

It is called 'अवसाद-निवारक' (avsād-nivārak) or simply 'अवसाद की दवा'.

Yes, 'Mujhe avasad hai' means 'I have depression'. It is correct and common in medical contexts.

Yes, many modern films about mental health use this term to educate the audience.

The direct opposite would be 'prafullata' (cheerfulness) or 'harsh' (joy).

Yes, it comes from Sanskrit and has been used in Indian languages for centuries.

No, it is strictly for a mental or emotional state. For a dark place, use 'andhera' or 'sunsaan'.